Compactor Fire Prompts Evacuation Of Sprouts Farmers Market

BEL AIR, MD — A fire erupted inside the trash compactor located behind the Sprouts Farmers Market store Sunday afternoon.

Around 30 firefighters were called to the business, which is located at 580 Marketplace Dr., around 3:31 p.m. After the fire was discovered, the store was evacuated.

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The large commercial trash compactor fire was discovered by an employee. It took firefighters with the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company around one hour to battle the blaze, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Harford County Department of Public Works employees pulled trash from the container to help extinguish the fire, which was limited to the compactor space.

Investigators ruled the fire as accidental and determined it to have been caused as an odor control fan motor that seized and failed. The odor control fan motor was located between the store and compactor, which caused sparks to ignite the trash inside the compactor, the state fire marshal's office reported.

No damage to the store from the fire was reported, but smoke did fill the store. The Harford County Health Department responded and inspected of the grocery store. The store remained closed pending the disposal of certain food products, the state fire marshal's office stated.